Every night during the Christmas holidays, starting this year on November 8th, you can watch the castle lighting ceremony at Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom. This is when Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother comes out and asks the audience for help in decorating the castle as a special surprise for Cinderella. If you haven’t seen the icicle lights on the castle, you’re in for a surprise. Make sure you leave time in your schedule for this special ceremony.

In November, the ceremony usually beings at 6:30, but as it gets darker earlier, the ceremony will begin closer to 6:00. Since the Magic Kingdom closes early on certain nights in November and December for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you’ll encounter heavy crowds leaving the park after the ceremony. Instead of rushing out, take a few extra minutes to shop. You don’t have to be out of the parks until 7:00 if you don’t have a party ticket, so that gives you a little extra time to browse.